UKIP's defeated leadership contender has said she is “not surprised” Diane James lasted just 18 days in the job as she “lacked passion”.

Diane James, who replaced Nigel Farage on September 16, resigned from her position last night claiming she had no authority to make changes within the party and had little support.

UKIP councillor Lisa Duffy, who finished second behind Mrs James with 25 per cent share of the vote compared to her 46 per cent, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme she was not “overly surprised” she had decided to leave.

She said: “Knowing Diane as I have over the last three years, I didn’t believe this was something she particularly wanted to do, or had the passion to do.

“She entered the leadership contest right at the last minute, didn’t engage in the process and over the last 18 days I’m afraid we haven’t had any leadership from her.”

Ms Duffy said she understood Ms James had written “under duress” in Latin on her registration forms when taking over as leader.

“My understanding is that is what’s happened, but I haven’t got proof myself,” she said.

It is also thought Ms James’ husband’s ill-health and a recent incident in which she was “badly shaken up” after being verbally abused and spat at in a central London street may have played a role in persuading her to step down.

UKIP’s ruling National Executive Committee is expected to hold an emergency meeting within days to choose an interim leader and agree a timetable for the second leadership election within weeks.

Bookmakers installed North-West England MEP Steven Woolfe - who was barred from standing to replace Mr Farage after handing nomination papers in 17 minutes late - as hot favourite, followed by Suzanne Evans, who missed out on the chance to run because of a suspension which has now been lifted.

In her brief time as leader, Ms James had not appointed a deputy, so there is no one in place to act as a stand-in while a new election is arranged.

Nigel Farage told Sky News this morning that he technically remains party leader but has ruled himself out of a third return to politics. He led the party twice between 2006 and 2009 and 2010 and 2016.

He said he has “retired”, while party chair Paul Oakden said a comeback from Mr Farage was unlikely but “not impossible”,